“Yes,” Callie Mae added. “Last night was fairly quiet for a Saturday, and I’m glad they will have a few days to get settled in before the cattle drives begin arriving. We can’t thank you enough, Mrs. Whittaker, for inviting us tonight.”
“Oh, think nothing of it, I’m glad to do it, and I like to welcome any newcomers to town. Tell me, Marilee, where are your folks from, originally, I mean?”
“My father died in the War of Northern Aggression, and my mama passed of the influenza when I was ten. She was a school teacher in Atlanta and I was sent to live with my great aunt in New Orleans. She passed on when I was twelve and I ended up in an orphanage in St Louis. Thankfully, I was able to get an education, but there were no jobs. I don’t know what I would have done if not for Miss Callie Mae’s letter,” she drawled, nodding at Callie Mae.
Shooting Morgan a smug look, Callie Mae smiled gratefully at Marilee.
“Oh, you poor dear,” Emma said. “You have had a rough time of it, haven’t you? What about you Jane? How did you come to end up in St. Louis?”
“Mother, you may be bringing up things that are painful to talk about,” Mead said.
“Nonsense,” Emma replied. “This isn’t the inquisition. How else are we supposed to get to know one another if we don’t ask questions? You girls don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
“I was in a boarding school back East,” Jane offered. “My father was quite wealthy, or so I thought. When he died suddenly, my school was informed that there were no funds and they packed me off to the orphanage in St. Louis quick as you please,” she snapped angrily. “I was lucky to be able to take my things,” she whispered scandalously. “There was talk of selling them, but the headmaster took pity on me. He even said he may look me up after I turn eighteen,” she said, smiling brightly for a moment, “but I doubt he’ll find me here. At least I don’t think so,” she continued sadly.
“Were you in love with him, child?” Emma asked.
“Goodness no,” Jane giggled. “He was old enough to be my father, I think. He always paid special attention to me, though. It was flattering, but it made the other girls mad. I was only at the orphanage for about six months, but I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Such a sad, dreary place,” she sighed. “I wonder if Mr. Hardwick will really come looking for me,” she said thoughtfully. “I must say I have no idea why he took such an interest in me.”
“I have a pretty good idea,” Morgan mumbled, shaking his head.
“Annalise, would you like to tell us a little something about yourself?” Emma asked kindly.
“There’s not much to tell, ma’am,” Annalise said softly, twisting her hands. “I’ve been in the orphanage for as long as I can remember. They say my pa headed west in search of gold and my ma followed. I’ve never heard from either of them. I guess they just didn’t want me,” she whispered, looking at her lap.
“Now, child, you don’t know that,” Emma scolded gently. “Something unforeseen may have happened to them. I’m sure they had every intention of returning for you, dear,” Emma said, leaning forward to pat Annalise’s hand.
“I used to tell myself that all the time, ma’am…when I was little. Now I know the truth. If they had wanted me, they would have found some way or at least let me know where they were or what happened. No, I faced the truth about myself a long time ago.”
Fancy flew out of her chair and got on her knees in front of the young girl. “You must not say such things, Annalise,” she insisted. “You’re lovely and sweet and kind. No one would leave you like that unless they had no other choice. Something dreadful must have happened to keep them from you and as soon as I make my fortune, we’re going to find out, even if we have to go all the way to California,” she promised.
Annalise lifted her head and wiped away the tears that were streaking down her cheeks. “You don’t have to do that, Fancy. It doesn’t matter anymore. I have a job and a roof over my head and friends,” she said, looking around the room. “Someday you will be a grand actress, and I will come and watch you on the stage and clap louder than anyone, but I won’t let you waste your money looking for people who never wanted me in the first place,” she said firmly.
Fancy hugged her and returned to her chair. Matthew was frozen beside her, staring at Annalise in utter heartbreak. Morgan had slipped his arm around Callie Mae and Mead was patting Marilee’s hand as she sniffed into her hankie. Even Emma was misty eyed as she concentrated on the doily she was crocheting.
“So, I guess I’m next,” Fancy said, patting her red hair. “My folks were show people. When I was seven they dropped me off in St. Louis with a friend of my mothers and headed north for a three week booking in Chicago. One night, on the way to the theater, there was a carriage accident and they were both killed. Martha couldn’t keep me and that was that. I ended up at the orphanage for the next eleven years, and here I am, ready to take on the world,” she crowed, smiling and giving Annalise a wink.
“Oh, she has the voice of an angel,” Marilee added reverently. “You should hear her.”
Fancy rose and walked across the room to a small spinet. “May I?” she asked, indicating the piano.
“Of course, dear,” Emma replied, setting her work in her lap. “Although I don’t know how well-tuned it is. I haven’t played in a long while.”
Sitting on the stool, Fancy uncovered the keys and played a few chords. Expecting a rousing tune, they were shocked when she began to sing the hauntingly beautiful song, Oh Shenandoah. Her rich voice lovingly stroked the words, much as her slender fingers did the keys. The room was spellbound as she sang of loss, loneliness, and longing. The emotion in her voice belied her tender years and there was not a person present who doubted that one day she would indeed be in front of an audience much larger than what The Duchess could hold.
“My dear, that was lovely,” Emma remarked when the last chord hung in the air. “Will you sing another?”
Fancy smiled and played Greensleeves, once again delighting her audience. The light applause as she stood and covered the keys was heartfelt and genuine.
Taking advantage of the break in conversation, Morgan rose and pulled Callie Mae up with him. “I think Callie Mae and I will take a stroll and work off some of that delicious supper before it’s time for pie,” he said. “Excuse us, won’t you?”
“Of course, son,” Emma replied, noting the nervous expression on Callie Mae’s face. “Perhaps the others would like to join you.”
“Marilee, would you like to take a walk?” Mead asked, extending his arm and ignoring Morgan’s scowl.
“Thank you, that would be very nice. It’s grown quite close in here. Are you coming Fancy, Annalise?” she asked politely.
“Sure, sounds like fun,” Fancy replied, rising and taking Matthew’s arm. “Come on Annalise, he’s got two arms,” she giggled.
